I am curious about peoples preference for downrigger balls. Personally I have been using 12 lb pancakes with a large stainless steel fin. The 2 lbs extra weight is nice in the current, however, as we are still using manual riggers, 12 lbs is about all I want to crank up and down all day long, especially when I am stacking a couple of rods on one rigger. I understand the pancake profile give you a little less drag and with the fin, less twisting and ware on the cable. I also like being able to put a slight bend in the fin which causes the ball to plane out to the side giving me a little better separation than I would normally get with our short arm Scottys. With the recent discussions about new glow coated balls for additional fish attraction, I am thinking about adding some glow tape to the fin. You can buy it by the foot for adding to flashers at most fishing supply stores.
On the down side I am wondering about possible negative electrolysis effect between the lead and the stainless fin.
On the down side I am wondering about possible negative electrolysis effect between the lead and the stainless fin.